How To Get Christmas Cactus To Bloom Again Every Year
You bought a beautiful blooming Christmas Cactus last year. It’s still looking good, and now you want your Christmas Cactus to bloom again during the holiday season. With a little effort, you can make it happen. Yours may bloom on its own, but if not, here’s what you can do. Sometimes they’ll bloom on their own, but if not, here’s what to do.
I’ve been growing Christmas Cacti since I was a little girl. Back in Connecticut, we had a few in our greenhouse that always bloomed during the holidays with minimal effort. Later, in Santa Barbara, I grew them in a shady spot outdoors in pots, where the mild climate suited them. These days, I’m in Tucson and grow them indoors.
They’re very long-lasting, easy-care houseplants. Even if they never bloomed, I’d still love them for their unusual, appealing foliage and wacky, arching growth habit.
One of my Christmas Cacti (actually a Thanksgiving Cactus, noted by the pointed leaf ends) with red & white blooms. Growers often plant 2–3 colors in one pot.
About Christmas Cactus
Christmas Cacti are actually epiphytic tropical cacti, not desert cacti. The ones you see for sale in bloom around November are usually Thanksgiving Cacti (Schlumbergera truncata), like the one pictured above. Christmas Cacti (Schlumbergera × buckleyi) are timed to flower closer to Christmas.
That means most plants marketed as “Christmas Cactus” are Thanksgiving Cactus. It makes sense, we start decorating for the holidays in November and often buy poinsettias at that time as well. A grower once told me that a Thanksgiving Cactus has thicker, sturdier segments (stems), which makes them easier to ship, so they’ve become the ones most often sold in November and December. You can tell them apart by the stems, Thanksgiving Cactus have pointed, jagged edges, while Christmas Cactus have smoother, more rounded ones.
Most Thanksgiving Cacti are labeled as Christmas Cacti, and sometimes as Holiday Cacti. No matter which one you have, they all bloom in much the same way, just at slightly different times. Mine usually start opening buds in mid-November, and the flowering lasts into Christmas.
Your Christmas Cactus can bloom without fertilizer, but the right nutrients definitely help. I use a water-soluble African Violet fertilizer, which mine seem to like. I feed monthly from mid-February through mid-September, then stop. They don’t need fertilizer during the dormancy period.
If you don’t have African Violet food, any balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength will work. Just don’t overdo it. Too much fertilizer too often can cause salt build-up and stress the plant.
Christmas Cactus Blooms
There are a few things I want to tell you about Christmas Cactus flowers and related tidbits before I get to the flowering part. You may be new to this popular holiday houseplant, and the following points may help you out.
- They bloom at the end of the leaves, which are technically stems. They’re prolific bloomers, especially as they age. Older plants can get covered in flower buds.
- Each bloom lasts 5-7 days, depending on the temperature of your home. The warmer your home, the faster the flowers will fade.
- They tend to bloom in stages, so the flowering period typically lasts 3-6 weeks.
- They originally had red flowers, but now hybrids are bred and sold in white, pink, magenta, lavender, peach, salmon, and yellow.
- You can remove the flowers as they die. Pinch them off with an easy twist.
- They bloom best when tight in their pots, so don’t rush to repot them yearly.
- If yours doesn’t flower the 1st year, one of the reasons could be that it’s simply acclimating to the drier air in your home. They’ve been grown in greenhouses in humid environments, after all.
- Remember, this is a tropical cactus, not a desert cactus. Christmas Cactus plants may not flower as well in dry environments.
- When you bought your Christmas Cactus, it may have had multiple buds and flowers at the tips of each leaf segment. That’s because it was grown in a greenhouse under ideal humidity conditions. At home, you may not see quite as many. Mine will sometimes produce a few double blooms, but most are singles. Even so, the flowers are showy and beautiful — a few blooms can still put on a wonderful display. A bit of extra light and humidity can also encourage more buds.
Do you have questions about growing a Christmas Cactus? Answers here.
Christmas Cactus Care
For your Christmas Cactus to bloom, it needs to stay healthy year-round. These plants do best in bright, indirect light — a medium to high exposure. They require ample light to grow, set buds, and keep their foliage looking good. Just be sure to keep them out of hot windows or direct sunlight, which can burn their fleshy leaves.
Even though they’re succulents, Christmas Cacti aren’t desert plants. In their native rainforest habitats, Schlumbergeras grow on trees and rocks rather than in soil. At home, give your plant a deep watering, allowing the excess water to drain from the bottom, and let the mix dry before watering again.
The frequency of watering depends on several factors: your home’s temperature, light exposure, pot size and type, and the soil mix. When the plant is in bloom, water a little more often to keep the flowers looking fresh. After it finishes flowering, reduce watering in winter; then increase again in spring and summer as growth picks up, if necessary.
Complete Christmas Cactus Care guide here.
Steps To Get Christmas Cactus To Bloom
They need a short dormancy period to bloom again, which is triggered by shorter days (long nights) and cooler temperatures.
It can take a bit of effort to provide this. Some people move their plant into a closet or basement each evening, while others use a spare room or office that naturally has the right conditions. Another option is to place a box over your plant around 6 pm and remove it the next morning between 6 and 8 am. Put your plant to bed early each night so it can have long, restful nights to set buds!
LIGHT
A Christmas Cactus needs equal or longer periods of darkness to set buds. If you want yours to bloom around Thanksgiving, start the process in early fall. Give it 12–14 hours of darkness each day, starting approximately 6–8 weeks before you want flowers.
When I grew mine outdoors, they naturally got the right amount of darkness as the days shortened. Now that I grow them indoors, the one in my front hall gets enough darkness on its own, while the one in my kitchen needs to be moved into my office by the second week of October.
WATER
Keep the plant on the drier side during dormancy. Wait until the top half of the soil has dried out before watering again. Depending on the temperature, soil mix, and pot size or type, this could mean watering only every 3–5 weeks. Just don’t let it go bone dry for too long, as that can stress the plant.
TEMPERATURE
Temperatures between 50°F and 65°F ar ideal for bud set, comparable to a cool bedroom at night.
WHEN BUDS APPEAR
Once buds start forming, move your plant back to a bright spot and return to your regular care routine. and enjoy the beautiful flowers.
Christmas Cactus Blooming Outdoors vs Indoors
I’ll include this in case you live in a temperate climate and want to grow them outdoors. My Christmas cacti, which grew outdoors, set buds in late fall. As the days grew shorter and cooler, the changes they needed to bloom occurred naturally. I hardly had to do a thing to get them flowering in the garden — I’m sure being six blocks from the Pacific Ocean in ideal conditions helped!
I never let my Christmas Cacti go completely dry, because if you do, the leaves can shrivel and turn reddish. The one you see in the photo collage at the very end of this post turned reddish that summer due to excessive sun, but it gradually turned green again as the days shortened in late fall. Its color shifted once more when evening temperatures dropped in winter.
The color change is caused by environmental stress. One of my former client’s Christmas Cacti turned completely orange — it grew on her front porch and was rarely watered. These succulent beauties are surprisingly resilient.
I now live in Tucson, AZ, and brought one of those Christmas Cacti with me when I moved. I grow it indoors, and although it still blooms, it produces fewer flowers here. Let’s just say it’s not as fond of the dry climate and misses the coastal fog.
Christmas Cactus To Bloom FAQs
Can a Christmas Cactus bloom more than once a year?
Yes, they can. One of mine often puts out a lighter flush of blooms in February or March. The other one hasn’t so far, but it’s younger. To encourage this, make sure the plant stays healthy with bright, indirect light, proper watering, and occasional fertilization.
More info on that here.
Is fertilizer necessary for blooms, or will it flower without it?
Your Christmas Cactus can bloom without fertilizer, but the right nutrients definitely help. I use a water-soluble African Violet fertilizer, which mine seem to like. I feed monthly from mid-February through mid-September, then stop. They don’t need fertilizer during the dormancy period.
If you don’t have African Violet food, any balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength will work. Just don’t overdo it — too much fertilizer too often can cause salt build-up and stress the plant.
Why does my Christmas Cactus only bloom on one side?
This is most likely a light issue. The plant needs to receive light on all sides to bloom evenly. You can rotate the plant every month to avoid this.
What’s the difference between a Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cactus?
These three types of holiday cacti are timed to bloom at different seasons, and their leaves look a bit different. A Thanksgiving Cactus usually flowers in November and has pointed, notched leaf edges. Christmas Cactus blooms closer to late December and has smoother, rounded edges. Easter Cactus appears in spring with vivid pastel flowers, and its leaf segments are more scalloped.
Do I need to repot my Christmas Cactus to get it to bloom?
No, bud formation is dependent on a dormant period – short days, cool temperatures, and reduced watering. Christmas Cacti bloom best when slightly snug in their pots, so don’t rush to repot—more on repotting here.
Video Guide
Conclusion: Getting your Christmas Cactus to bloom takes a bit of effort, but it’s well worth it. With proper year-round care, this holiday cactus produces stunning blooms, making it a festive favorite.
Do you love Christmas Cactus? We have more guides for you! Christmas Cactus Care, Christmas Cactus Repotting, Christmas Cactus Propagation, Christmas Cactus Flowering More Than Once A Year, and Christmas Cactus Leaves Turning Orange.
Happy gardening,
- About the Author
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
Thanks for sharing . I live in Texas and I have never had mine to flower yet . I was told to up it in the closet . And thanks for talking about hoe to water it . I think I must be over watering mine .
You’re most welcome Renee. Just follow what I outlined in this post & video, & yours should flower. It’s a tropical cactus so it needs more water than desert cactus but on the other hand, it doesn’t need as much as most blooming plants. Also, because it’s an epiphyte (in nature it grows on other plants & not in the soil, like most orchids) it doesn’t like to sit in water. Let me know if it blooms! Best, Nell
Hi Nell
Thank you for explaining why the Christmas cactus takes on a reddish hue. My plant has been outside all summer on the north side of the house in Northern California. We have had freezing temps the last two nights so I brought the cactus into the house (about 65 degrees inside) and I already notice small buds forming.
Love your explanations! So glad to know that there is a difference between Thanksgiving & Christmas cactus.
Hi Alaina – You’re very welcome. My Christmas Cacti are covered in buds right now & should be in full bloom right around Christmas. Easter Cacti are totally different but Thanksgiving & Christmas Cacti are the same, just timed by the growers or homeowners to bloom differently. Happy Holidays! Nell
Hi Nelly!
Thank you for your valuable information on getting the Christmas cactus to bloom. I received my cactus at Christmas time in 2015 and expected it to bloom on its own in 2016 because my friend told me that it would on its own because her’s dI’d. Well, mine didn’t. So, my disappointment brought me to your video.
I actually do keep my cactus on the drier side, and living in Ohio does give my cactus a lot of darkness come October thru March. But, I will give your suggestions a try, and I will definitely look forward to some beautiful blossoms! Thank you again for your information!
Stephanie
Greetings Stephanie! Yes, just follow those few points & your Christmas Cactus (which may actually be a Thanksgiving Cactus as many are) will bloom again. Just remember, the earlier you start the process, the earlier it’ll bloom. Happy gardening & you’re very welcome, Nelly
Very interesting article. I live near Green Bay, WI, bought a small transplant last summer. Had 4 stems with 3 or 4 leaves. I sat it in my kitchen window, facing south. By Christmas I had 2 flowers. No special treatment. In March a bloom was developing but drop off, for lack of water, I believe. Now the end of May, there is another flower forming, doing very well. My question, why? Are their ever blooming Christmas Cactus? I do nothing except water it. Thanks for any input.
Hi Jesse – I have never heard of an ever blooming Christmas Cactus on the market. I do know that some people have had theirs bloom sporadically throughout the year in reaction to lower light levels & cooler temps. Nell
I was given two Christmas cactus for Christmas last year I brought one from BC to Ontario. Before leaving BC it had grown many new leaves. It sat in an window all summer with filtered light. Now 5 months later it blooming. The only thing the blooms were red last time and now the blooms are white.
WHY
Hi Daphne – When a CC changes colors, it’s due to some sort of environmental stress. I’m at a client’s in the SF Bay Area & she has a CC that I brought her 4 years ago. It sits outside on the porch table where it only gets watered when I’m here 3 times a year. It’s currently blooming white right now & it was red. Nell
I have a Christmas Cactus that gets buds all year, but they fall off. I have had no blooms since it left the store in 2016. It sits in a window facing east.
I’ve fertilized it, but I’ve never replanted it. What is my problem?
Hi Susan – When the buds fall off, it’s usually caused by too much water (root rot) or a change in environment. Because they are photoperiodic, if something is off with that, there’s another reason. Here’s a new post & video I just did on CC care which you might find helpful: https://www.joyusgarden.com/how-to-grow-christmas-cactus/ Nell
I have a Christmas Cactus as was wondering if you could tell me why it only blooms on one side. What can I do to get to bloom all over. Thanks
Hi Paul –
I would say it has to do with the light exposure. CC like equal periods of light & complete dark for 6-8 weeks to bloom. I don’t know what situation you have it growing in but perhaps the not getting the light/dark it needs on that non-blooming side. Nell
Thankyou so much for.your great info on the cactii. Got started late, but i have buds for the first time. Next year I’ll start in October. Thanks again.
My pleasure Diane! Nell
Just read your tips, I am so happy to read your in S.B. which I grew up there. Thanks for the advice on how to care for my Christmas catus . Living in North Dakota, and was feeling I was doing something wrong,but I’m on track can’t wait for the blooms. My mother always had many be I remember growing up.Thanks . Pastor LaVerne Gonzalez
You are certainly welcome Pastor Laverne. They need equal parts light & complete darkness to bloom again successfully. I think they’re an attractive houseplant especially when they start to trail. I left SB over a year ago & moved to Arizona. I miss those beach walks but have beautiful mountains here. All the best, Nell
Here it is, Jan 2018. What do I do now to get blooms in december2018
Hi Mary lou – It takes about 6-8 weeks for a Christmas (or Thanksgiving) Cactus to set buds. You can find the steps you need to take in the blog post towards the end. Nell
What about pruning or cutting back? Will that stimulate growth or even new buds ?
Hi Pam – Not that I know of. Cutting back a bit will force the stems to branch which should bring more flowers. I never prune my Holiday Cactus (except for propagation) because I like the look when they start to arch & trail a bit. Nell
I live in Canton, Ohio. I bought a Christmas cactus in early December but it never bloomed. I thought maybe it had already bloomed and dropped them before I bought it possibly. It’s February 24th and I just woke up to seeing a lot of buds, two of which look like they may bloom soon! I’m wondering how many times a year it can bloom and if I should try again in October by putting it in a darker area?
Hi Mary – It may be a Thanksgiving Cactus & already bloomed before you bought it. One of mine which bloomed in Nov. is blooming again now in Feb. I’ve had some which has bloomed 3 times a year. Yes, you can stimulate blooming by putting it in a dark room & reducing watering 6-8 weeks before you want it to flower. Nell
I’ve had my Christmas Cactus for 2 years. Both years it has bloomed at Christmas as expected. I keep it with my other plants in the living room near the window but also supplement with a grow light several hours a day. I just noticed today (March 10) that is is blooming again! Not that I’m complaining, but why is it blooming again so soon? Will this affect the Christmas time bloom?
Hi Susan – Funny you should bring that up. My Christmas Cactus (actually a Thanksgiving Cactus) is blooming again right now too. They can bloom again in late winter/early spring although many don’t. I’m publishing a post & video on this subject in a couple of weeks so check back on the blog. Nell
Hi Nell,
When you take a cutting off of your Schlumbergia, I noticed it causes a hard scar. Will this scarred area start to re grow or even bloom again? Will it take a while to start growing there again or bloom again?
Thank you Nell
Hi Suzie – The scarred end goes in the mix & produces the roots. The tips produce the new growth & eventually bloom. I just did a post & video on this: https://www.joyusgarden.com/how-to-propagate-christmas-cactus-holiday-thanksgiving-by-stem-cuttings-with-1-easy-twist/ Hope that helps! Nell
Hi Nell!
Love reading all your articles and seeing your gorgeous plants! I currently have seven different Thanksgiving cactuses along with two true Christmas cactuses and three Easter cactuses. This year the Thanksgiving cactuses have bloomed three times since November and it seems like buds just keep in appearing on different plants all the time! The Christmas cactus bloomed twice (Dec and then again in March). The Easter are currently in bloom now. I keep mine directly on the windowsill in an east facing window so they get sun in the morning and early afternoon with no artificial light. This room also remains on the cooler side with no direct heat. I only water them when they are almost totally dry and they are pretty close to being rootbound. I think the lower temperatures and keeeping them in a tight pot are what really helps them to keep developing new buds and rebloom!
Thank you for sharing Christine! Sounds like you have a blooming jungle. I just did a post on this subject as my Thanksgiving Cactus just got through blooming. You might want to give it a look: https://www.joyusgarden.com/do-christmas-cactus-flower-more-than-once-a-year/ Enjoy! Nell
Hey, if you want a real kick, trick the plant into producing fruit. The fruits are pretty and last a really long time. The darker the flower color the darker red/purple the fruits will be. White flowers produce a light pink fruit. You have to have two genetically different plants, a paintbrush, and a little knowledge about flower sex. Take the paintbrush and get pollen from the anthers of one plant and dust it on the end of the long skinny central (female part of the plant). Keep going back and forth between the two plants and you will produce a few fruits. For those in warm climates you may be able to get a natural pollinator such as bees to do the work for you if you keep the two different plants in close proximity
Hi Elizabeth – Yes, I know they produce fruit but it’s good for those who geek out on “all things plant” to find out about. The downside is that the leaf with the fruit won’t produce a flower until the fruit is removed. Oh well, it’s fun to do anyway! Nell
Is it possible for a Christmas cactus to bloom now? I mean my mom’s is. It seems like it’s a Christmas and Easter cactus.
Hi April – Yes it is. A post on that here: https://www.joyusgarden.com/do-christmas-cactus-flower-more-than-once-a-year/ Or, it could be an Easter or Spring Cactus. I’m doing a post on this plant next week. the flowers on the holiday cactus are different from those on the spring cactus. Nell
My cactus was beautiful in December, and now I also see some buds again. Thanks for article
You’re welcome Jeanette. Some people are surprised when theirs blooms again so I wanted to do a post on it. Nell
What fertilizer should I use.?
Hi Fran -I don’t fertilize mine & there’s a lot of out there. I’d use an all-purpose orchid food (or any general fert.) with the formulation 20-10-20. Feed in Spring & summer at 1/2 strength. Nell
I have not fertitilze my Christmas cactus for maybe a year but it is nice and green but has not bloomed since I got it and that’s about 2 years ago . I do not over water it .
Hi Fran – It may not have gotten long enough periods of darkness to induce budding. Nell
My Christmas Cactus try’s to bloom but the buds just dry up and fall off. It has been doing this off and on all year. Am I not watering it enough?
Hi Monica – Buds falling off a CC are a reaction to a change in watering (usually too much), temperature, light &/or location. Nell
Hi Nell! Thank you for this wonderful website, I found out so much about my plants here! It was very useful for me as a newbie. I followed your advice and have been putting my Xmas cactus through the dormancy inducing regime for about 4 weeks now. I was so excites when I notices that it started forming tiny buds two days ago! My question is, how big and developed do buds have to be in order to resume normal conditions. Should I already stop with the light/dark regime and continue watering? Also, should one water the cactus at all during the dormancy? I haven’t been watering mine for 4 weeks but it looks fine.
Hi – You’re very welcome! Mine is starting to put out buds now too. I wait until the plant is at least 1/2 – 3/4 covered with buds & they’re a bit larger before resuming. I water my cactus about every 4 weeks during dormancy & live in the desert. Happy Holidays! Nell
Hi Nell, I’ve been reducing watering and placing my CC in a closet every night for 8 weeks now, still no buds. What could I be doing wrong? Thanks!
Hi Lea – It could be the temperature. They like it cool to be able to set buds. Just because it didn’t bloom this year doesn’t mean it won’t next year. Nell
Hi I have a Christmas or Thanksgiving catus that has never budded I have had it for years bout 5 years .it gets new growth on it but never any buds I have transplanted it maybe like 2 times in the past 5 years what am I doing wrong ?
Sandra – They are photoperiodic which means they need 14 hours of complete darkness for 6-8 weeks to set buds. Nell
I have a holiday cactus that I have had for 30 to 35 years! Really! It blooms when it wants! Thanksgiving, Christmas once even at Easter! It is pot bound now and I wand to divide it and give part to my daughters. Any certain way to break it apart. I don’t want to do it till after it has bloomed this year–assuming it does–2020 you know!
Thanks
Sherry M in Kentucky
Hi Sherry – I said they’re long-lived & you proved it! I’ve never divided one that old but I have younger ones. With one, I cut off the pot because it was being stubborn. Divide it carefully – hopefully, your plant will have some natural dividing points. Nell